The SP-53 was the first of the new wave of U.S. Army Space Corps rocket
ships, a wave that would end the one-sidedness of the Battle for Orbit. The
development of the Tesla coil ‘pure energy’ power source enabled the construction
of fast and agile rocketships to replace the liquid propel-lant fleet that
the Raummacht shot down so easily.
The cigar-shaped light fighter had a massive rear thruster array, which gave
it enormous forward acceleration. A rapid-fire rotary mounting of three light
atomic projectors (powered by the main Tesla generator) and a rear-firing
bank of explosive rockets made the little fighter dangerous both coming and
going.
If the SP-53 had a weakness, it was in the low visibility of its cockpit
and the bulk of the rotary mount, which combined to give it a very limited
arc of fire.
Accommodation: 1 Pilot
The original version of the Arrow can be potent in the hands of a skilled pilot, but in small scale dogfights it is a frustrating craft at best. It is best employed in recon and hit and fade missions, rather than in defensive or escort missions. Its high silhouette and armor make it a fairly sturdy craft for its size.
The Broadhead is rebalanced specifically for escort and dogfighting. It makes a good light craft for Aces as well, due to the added rescue pod. The wider arcs for the atomic bolts make this a much easier craft to fight with.